Obama a tricky subject for Mass. GOP Senate hopeful

BOSTON (AP) -- Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Gabriel Gomez' past criticism of President Barack Obama could be a tricky political topic in Massachusetts, where the president remains popular.

The former Navy SEAL in interviews and a newspaper editorial last year strongly criticized Obama for using the SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden as a political talking point. He has credited the Democratic president for giving the green light on the raid but suggested the safety of SEALs and their families have been put at risk by his administration.

Democrats have faulted Gomez's criticism.

Gomez aides say he's not backing away from his comments but isn't out to tear down Obama.

Republican state Rep. Daniel Winslow and former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan also are running.

Congressmen Edward Markey and Stephen Lynch are competing on the Democratic side.

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